All signs seemed to point to Mark Teixeira signing with the Red Sox. It made the most sense. They could offer him a lucrative salary, he would be on the east coast, which is closer to home, and he would be playing for a contender (prove me wrong, Orioles and Nationals). It was inevitable...and then the Yankees swooped in. Teixeira donned the pinstripes for the first time yesterday and talked about what led him to decide on the Yankees. From Extra Bases:

"Two weeks before Christmas, I talked to [my wife] Leigh about it again, and we kind of decided that, hey, the Yankees are where we want to be. Cash [Brian Cashman] might want to give Leigh a hug, because when I asked her during the process, 'Where should I go, where should I go?,' she'd always say, 'I just want you to be happy.' Finally she said, 'I want you to be a Yankee,' and it was a done deal. Once we got the contract figured out, it was a no-brainer for me."

Extra Bases notes that Teixeira visited the Red Sox on December 18th - just one week before Christmas. If he is telling the truth, he visited the Red Sox already knowing he would become a Yankee. But the bigger story is telling the whole world (especially Red Sox fans) that it was his wife that made the ultimate decision. The Red Sox nation now has 108 days to prepare heckles for when the Yankees come to Fenway on April 24th. If the comment section from Extra Bases is any barometer, they'll need the time. Here's what they have come up with so far:

"His wife picks the team he plays for!! I wonder if she picks out his clothes too??" BURN!
"Way to have a sack and have your wife make your decisions you puffy faced b*st*rd even though you are your families bread winner." Well now that you mention it, his face is kinda puffy...
"Good for you Leigh...more money to grab when you divorce him." Ha, alright. Now we got something. But keep working on it. I expect better come April 24th.